However, both South Korea and China later said they believed reports he was in "grave danger" were unfounded.

And a top Pentagon official today said Kim was likely to be still in 'full control' of his military.

Vice Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. John Hyten said: "In the intel, I don't have anything to confirm or deny anything along those lines, so I assume that Kim Jong-Un is still in full control of the Korean nuclear force and the Korean military forces."

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However the Pentagon says as far as it knows he is still in charge of the militaryCredit: AFP

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North Korea is staying dead silent on Kim's health

Now David Maxwell, a retired special forces colonel and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank, has explained how things could go very wrong, very quickly.

He told the Military Times: "Units of the North Korean People's Army are going to compete for resources and survival.

"This will lead to internal conflict among units and could escalate to widespread civil war."

And he fears the bloodshed in the nuclear state could lead to South Korea being forced into action dragging the US into the fight.

He said: "The ROK/US alliance is going to have to be prepared to secure and render safe the entire WMD program, nuclear, chemical, biological weapons and stockpiles, manufacturing facilities, and human infrastructure.

"This is a contingency operation that will make Afghanistan and Iraq pale in comparison."

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Dennis Rodman struck up a relationship with Kim Jong-un over their love of basketballCredit: AP:Associated Press

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Rodman once hosted a basketball tournament in the rogue stateCredit: Reuters

Maxwell's warning came as basketball legend Dennis Rodman revealed he was "praying" his old pal Kim makes a quick recovery.

"I hope it's just a rumour that Marshal Kim Jong-Un is sick," Rodman has told TMZ. "Hopefully I will find out more soon."

"There is still so much work we have to do between both the USA and DPRK," he added.

"If he is not feeling well, I am praying for his speedy recovery, so that both my friends (President Trump & Marshal Kim) can continue towards a peaceful success."

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State media claimed he had thanked Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for his good wishes on the birthday anniversary of the country's founder.

"Kim Jong-Un expressed his deep thanks to the president of the Syrian Arab Republic for sending his heartfelt message of greeting, reflecting the warm respect for president Kim Il-sung, who is always alive in the hearts of the Korean people," stated KCNA.

However it did not address the escalating rumours about the "Glorious Leader's" health.